Handling pass-thru sales and susequent payments

Hey there, @BarnDoors_Bruce.

I've got some information with regards to tracking your sales and commissions in QuickBooks.

To track your artist's actual sale, you can create a liability account for it and link it to the service item. This way, it won't be added as your gross income. Here's how:

1. Go to List and select Chart of Accounts.
2. Click the Account drop-down list and choose New.
3. From the Other Account Types drop-down menu, select Other Current Liability, and click Continue.
4. Enter the name of the account and add a description if necessary. 
5. Select Save & Close when you're done.

After creating the account, follow these steps to associate it with your service item. 

1. Go back to List and click Item List.
2. From the Item drop-down menu, select New.
3. Enter the details of the item, then choose the liability account that you've set up as an Account.
4. Click OK to close the window.

Then,  create another service item to track your commission. Just use any income account for it so you can track your sales revenue. 

After setting up, you can now create an invoice or sales receipt to record the transaction. Then, create a check once you pay your artist. Just make sure to select the liability account that you've set up. Then, enter the same amount of sales to zero out the liability balance.

Additionally, you can run the Income by Customer Summary report to show your gross profit from each customer. Simply go to Reports and select Company & Financial. Then, click the  Income by Customer Summary report.

Keep me posted if you need anything else or have other questions about managing sales transactions in QuickBooks. I'll be here to help. Wishing you continued success in your business.

Thanks much that makes sense!  Will set it up that way and give it a try.